Ligue 1 Uber Eats resumed after the international break and provided another weekend of high drama as PSG pulled further clear at the top, LOSC continued to stutter, Marseille unearthed a new star and Nice's perfect defensive record survived - just. 28 goals were scored over the weekend with only the top five teams now boasting unbeaten records.
PSG March on
Paris Saint-Germain continued their 100% record with a convincing 4-0 win over Clermont at the Parc des Princes, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the visitors.
Ander Herrera continued his good early-season form notching a first-half brace, both from close range (20' and 31'). Kylian Mbappé broke away from the Clermont defence to slot home his fourth goal of the season (55') before setting up Idrissa Gueye to head home (65') for the Parisians, who start their Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a trip to Club Brugge.
"It was a good professional performance," said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, who handed debuts to Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes and academy graduate Nathan Bitumazala. "I'm really happy and the three points are very important for us. A win against a very good team like Clermont gives us the confidence to work and prepare for the next game in Belgium in the Champions League."
Dieng at the double for OM
Marseille produced their best performance of the season so far as Jorge Sampaoli's side swept aside an out-of-sorts Monaco 2-0 at the Stade Louis II in the first heavyweight showdown of the season. Twenty-one-year-old forward Bamba Dieng delivered a fine performance and topped it off by scoring both OM goals.
Dieng, a constant menace to Monaco's defensive high line, raced clear to put the visitors in front (37') and added a second on the hour to move OM into third place on the table as Monaco slumped to their third defeat in five games.
"We played our best game since the start of the season," said OM midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. "The whole team is really happy for Dieng after his two goals and collectively we showed a lot of quality throughout the game."
Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli was equally happy for Dieng and hinted that the forward was specifically selected as he possessed the weapons to hurt Monaco.
"Dieng's performance is not a surprise," said the Argentinian tactician who now turns his attention to Thursday's Europa League game at Lokomotiv Moscow. "He has great qualities that we see on a daily basis. We chose him for his ability to cause Monaco’s defence a lot of problems and he did that well."
Moffi magic downs LOSC
Reigning champions LOSC continued their stuttering start to the season with a 2-1 defeat at Lorient.Terem Moffi's late strike (87') was enough to put Jocelyn Gourvennec's side to the sword and extend Les Merlus' unbeaten home record to eight games.
The impressive Armand Laurienté put Lorient ahead with a smart top-corner finish (7') before Burak Yilmaz took advantage of a clumsy challenge in the penalty area by Vincent Le Goff to equalise from the penalty spot (25').
"I'm disappointed with the result," said LOSC coach Gourvennec after seeing his side pick up just five points from their opening five games. "We didn't play the game we wanted. We were poor in the first half and we defended badly. There was too much space for Lorient to play in and it gave them control."
Gourvennec faces arguably his toughest test so far in the league next week as his side travel to fierce rivals Lens in the Derby du Nord.
First home win for Lyon
Moussa Dembélé continued his excellent goalscoring form, notching his fourth goal of the season as Lyon comfortably beat Strasbourg 3-1 to claim their first home win of the season.
Dembélé opened the scoring with a superb finish (8') on a night where Xherdan Shaqiri and Jerome Boateng made their debuts for the hosts. Belgium international defender Jason Denayer extended OL’s advantage (64'), before substitute Lucas Paqueta curled in a third (87’). Habib Diallo grabbed a stoppage-time consolation goal from the penalty spot for Strasbourg.
"Our first half performance was not good," said OL coach Peter Bosz, whose side face a tough trip to Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday before a clash with PSG next Sunday. "In the second half, it was much better from us and we scored some excellent goals. Overall, we have to be better than how we performed tonight."
Angers remain unbeaten
A 78th-minute Thomas Mangani penalty salvaged a point for Angers as they drew 1-1 at Brest. The home side looked likely to claim their first win of the season after Romain Faivre put them ahead from the penalty spot (62'), but Mangani kept his nerve to earn his side a share of the spoils, keeping them in second place on the table, four points behind leaders PSG.
Clinical Nice win at Nantes
Two goals in the final 15 minutes ensured Nice won 2-0 at Nantes to remain unbeaten without conceding a goal this season
Nantes wasted a hatful of chances to take control of the contest and were made to pay for their profligacy by Kasper Dolberg's smart close-range finish (75') and Amine Gouiri's low drive (80') as Nice continued their excellent early-season form.
Lens leave it late
Florian Sotoca converted a stoppage-time penalty to give Lens a dramatic 3-2 win at Bordeaux, who find themselves bottom of the pile in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Quick-fire goals from Gaël Kakuta (39') and Facundo Medina (43') put Lens firmly in the ascendency. But Ricardo Mangas (60') and Jean Onana (88') struck to complete Bordeaux’s fight-back and looked to have earned Vladimir Petkovic's side a point until Sotoca broke Bordeaux hearts from the spot to fire Lens into fifth place.
Business as usual for Montpellier
Montpellier began life without Andy Delort and Gaëtan Laborde in the best possible way by beating Saint Etienne 2-0 at the Stade de la Mosson.
The duo moved on to Nice and Rennes respectively before the transfer deadline last month, but forward Stephy Mavididi reminded the home support of his ability and put Montpellier ahead (32') with a right-foot finish. The Englishman also provided the spark for his side's second goal, delivering a cross to debutant Valère Germain, who tucked away his first goal for the club (62') to wrap up the points.
Away wins for Champagne duo
Oscar Garcia registered his first three points as Reims coach in their 2-0 win at Rennes. Hugo Ekitike put Reims in front (26') before substitute N’Dri Philippe Koffi finished the Breton side off with superb angled finish (67').
Meanwhile Troyes also claimed their first win of the campaign with a superb 2-0 victory at Metz. Gerson Rodrigues became the first Luxembourger to score in Ligue 1 Uber Eats for 25 years when he opened the scoring with a cushioned volley (50'). Xavier Chavalerin wrapped up the win (84') as Troyes climbed out of the bottom three.
